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After a green signal from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to anoint Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha polls despite opposition from party patriarch Lal Krishna Advani.
All efforts to placate him failed as of now leaving BJP president Rajnath Singh with no choice but to proceed despite Advani's objections.
The RSS has reportedly told the BJP chief not to delay the announcement. Rajnath is eager to anoint Modi before the inauspicious shradh period sets in on September 19.
A host of senior leaders, including Gadkari, Ananth Kumar and M Venkaiah Naidu have also met Advani to convince him on Modi's name.
Advani had resigned from all party posts in a huff in June when Modi was appointed chief of the campaign committee, but had to climb down after the RSS made it clear it would not change its mind.
However, the BJP’s constitution does not technically stipulate the board’s endorsement for naming the candidate for Prime Minister.
A quick look at how the votes of the
Parliamentary Board are likely to pan out:
Parliamentary Board are likely to pan out:
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'Pro Modi'
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Arun Jaitely: Resolutely on Modi's side and wanted announcement to be made regardless of whether Advani agrees or not.
Rajnath Singh: Often tagged as the diplomatic crusader of the BJP and known to have good relations across party lines, Rajnath is likely to convene the meeting with the help of Gadkari and will attempt to save the face of BJP by trying to put up a united front.
Nitin Gadkari: Conveyed RSS' message to Advani and tried to find a way out to end the stalemate. Firmly backing RSS diktat on Modi.
Ramlal: As an organisation secretary pushed RSS agenda with BJP leaders and pressed need to proceed with appointment at the earliest.
Thawarchand Gehlot: Took Rajnath's and RSS' directives in toto.
Venkiah Naidu: Backed Modi's elevation but played it safe. Avoided antagonizing Advani.
Narendra Modi: Not ready to accept any delay in appointment as prime ministerial candidate.
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'Against Modi'
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LK Advani: The BJP’s patriarch iterated that the party should wait until the November-December Assembly elections before announcing its candidate. Made his reservations against Modi known through his utterances of late.
MM Joshi : Told RSS and Rajnath that state CMs should be consulted on Modi's appointment. Agreed to accept the majority decision. Joshi has left for Sagar, MP, to attend a party programme and will return only late evening. He is not likely to be present in the meeting if it is held today.
Ananth Kumar : Attempted to play peace maker and acted as emissary carrying Advani's message to the party chief.
Sushma Swaraj: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will try to avoid what happened at Goa and wanted party to proceed only after bringing Advani on board and keeping his sensitivities in mind.
